tg.wizardfirstrule-第79部分

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a　light　stroke；　a　swath　of　beard　fell　away。
　
　〃You　just　used　Subtractive　Magic！　You　made　some　of　the　edge　go　away　to　sharpen　it。〃
　
　Zedd　arched　an　eyebrow。　〃No；　I　used　what　was　already　there；　and　re…formed　the　edge；　making　it　sharp　again。〃
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　and　went　about　gathering　up　their　things　while　Zedd　shaved　off　the　beard。　Kahlan　helped　put　things　away。
　
　〃You　know；　Zedd；〃　Richard　said　as　he　picked　up　the　bowls；　〃I　think　you're　getting　too　obstinate　in　your　ways。　I　think　when　this　is　over；　you　need　someone。　Someone　to　take　care　of　you；　help　keep　your　perspectives　straight。　Put　the　light　of　day　to　your　imagination。　I　think　you　need　a　wife。〃
　
　〃A　wife？〃
　
　〃Sure。　I　think　that's　what　you　need。　Maybe　you　should　go　back　and　take　another　look　at　Adie。〃
　
　〃Adie？〃
　
　〃Yes；　Adie；〃　Richard　scolded。　〃You　remember　Adie。　The　woman　with　one　foot。〃　。
　
　〃Oh；　I　remember　Adie　quite　well。〃　He　gave　Richard　his　most　innocent　look。　〃But　Adie　has　two　good　feet；　not　one。〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　both　came　to　their　feet　in　a　rush。　〃What？〃
　
　〃Yes；〃　Zedd　smiled；　turning　away。　〃Seems　it　grew　back。〃　He　bent；　pulling　an　apple　from　Richard's　pack。　〃Quite　unexpectedly。〃
　
　Richard　took　Zedd's　sleeve　and　turned　him　around。　〃Zedd；　you　。　。　。
　
　The　wizard　smiled。　〃Are　you　thoroughly　sure　you　wouldn't　like　to　be　a　wizard？〃　He　took　a　bite　of　the　apple；　pleased　at　seeing　the　astonishment　on　Richard's　face。　Zedd　handed　him　the　knife；　the　blade　as　sharp　as　he　had　ever　seen　it。
　
　Richard　shook　his　head　and　turned　to　his　work。　〃I　just　want　to　go　home　and　be　a　guide。　Nothing　more。〃　He　thought　awhile；　then　asked；　〃Zedd；　all　the　time　I　grew　up　with　you；　you　were　a　wizard　and　I　never　knew。　You　didn't　use　the　magic。　How　could　you　stand　not　to？　Why　didn't　you？〃
　
　〃Ali；　well；　there　are　dangers　to　using　the　magic。　Also；　pain。〃
　
　〃Dangers？　Like　what？〃
　
　Zedd　regarded　him　for　a　moment。　〃You　have　used　magic；　with　the　sword。　You　tell　me。〃
　
　〃But　that's　the　sword；　that's　different。　What　dangers　are　there　for　a　wizard　in　using　the　magic？　And　what　pain？〃
　
　Zedd　gave　a　small；　sly　smile。　〃Only　just　finished　with　the　first　lesson；　and　already　he　is　eager　for　the　second。〃
　
　Richard　straightened。　〃Never　mind。〃　He　hoisted　the　pack　onto　his　back。　〃All　I　want　to　be　is　a　woods　guide。〃
　
　Apple　in　hand；　Zedd　started　toward　the　trail。　〃So　you　have　told　me。〃　He　took　a　big　bite。　〃Now；　I　want　you　two　to　tell　me　everything　that　has　happened　since　I　was　knocked　unconscious。　Don't　leave　out　a　thing；　no　matter　how　trivial。〃
　
　Richard　and　Kahlan　exchanged　a　crimson　look。　〃I　won't　tell　if　you　don't；〃　he　whispered。
　
　She　held　him　back　with　a　hand　on　his　arm。　〃I　swear；　not　a　word　about　what　happened　in　the　spirit　house。〃
　
　By　the　look　in　her　eyes；　he　knew　she　meant　to　keep　her　word。
　
　For　the　rest　of　the　day　as　they　trudged　along　the　trails；　keeping　off　the　main　roads；　the　two　of　them　told　Zedd　the　stories　of　everything　that　had　happened　since　they　Were　attacked　that　day　at　the　boundary。　Zedd　made　them　go　back　to　previous　events　at　the　oddest　places　in　a　story。　Working　off　each　other's　words；　Richard　and　Kahlan　managed　to　weave　the　story　of　the　Mud　People　without　mention　of　anything　that　happened　between　them　in　the　spirit　house。
　
　As　they　drew　nearer　to　Tamarang；　they　crisscrossed　roads；　and　began　to　see　refugees　carrying　their　belongings　on　their　backs；　or　on　small　carts。　Richard　saw　to　it　that　they　didn't　stay　long　in　the　sight　of　people；　and　placed　himself　between　them　and　Kahlan　whenever　he　could。　He　didn't　want　anyone　recognizing　the　Mother　Confessor。　He　was　relieved　each　time　they　were　back　in　the　woods。　The　forest　was　where　he　was　most　fortable；　even　though　it　had　proven　its　dangers　to　them。
　
　Late　in　the　day；　they　had　to　take　to　the　main　road　in　order　to　cross　the　Callisidrin　River。　It　was　too　big　and　swift　to　risk　fording；　so　they　took　the　big　wooden　bridge。　Zedd　and　Richard　kept　Kahlan　protectively　between　them　as　they　walked　among　the　people　crossing　the　bridge。　Kahlan　kept　the　hood　of　her　cloak　up　so　people　wouldn't　see　her　long　hair。　Most　of　the　people　were　headed　for　Tamarang；　seeking　shelter　and　safety　from　the　marauding　forces；　supposedly　sweeping　in　from　Westland。　Kahlan　said　that　they　would　reach　Tamarang　by　the　middle　of　the　next　day。　From　now　on　they　would　have　to　travel　most　of　the　time　on　the　road。　Richard　knew　that　they　would　have　to　move　far　from　the　road　at　night　to　be　clear　of　any　people。　He　began　watching　the　sun　so　as　to　leave　them　time　to　move　deep　enough　into　the　forest　before　it　became　too　dark。
　
　…＋
　
　〃Does　that　feel　good？〃
　
　Rachel　pretended　Sara　answered　that　it　did；　and　tucked　a　little　more　grass　around　her　doll　to　be　doubly　sure　she　was　warm　enough。　She　nestled　the　loaf　of　bread　with　the　cloth　tied　around　it　next　to　Sara。
　
　〃You'll　be　warm　for　now。　I　have　to　go　get　some　wood　before　it's　too　dark；　and　then　we'll　have　a　fire。　Then　we　can　both　be　warm。〃
　
　She　left　Sara　with　the　bread　in　the　wayward　pine　and　went　outside。　The　sun　was　down；　but　it　was　still　light　enough　to　see。　The　clouds　were　a　pretty　pink。　She　looked　at　them　once　in　a　while　as　she　picked　up　sticks；　holding　them　against　her　body　with　the　other　arm。　She　checked　her　pocket　to　be　sure　the　fire　stick　was　still　there。　She　had　almost　forgotten　it　last　night；　and　was　scared　now；　unless　she　checked　to　make　sure　she　hadn't　forgotten　it　again。
　
　She　looked　up　again　at　the　pretty　clouds。　Just　as　she　did；　some　big　dark　thing　swooped　low　over　the　trees　a　little　way　up　the　hill
　
　It　must　be　some　big　bird；　she　thought。　Ravens　were　big；　and　dark。　It　must　be　one　of　those　noisy　ravens。　She　picked　up　some　more　sticks。　Then　she　saw　a　bunch　of　blueberry　bushes；　low　against　the　ground　in　an　open　place；　their　leaves　starting　to　turn　a　flaming　red。　She　threw　the　sticks　down。
　
　She　was　so　hungry；　she　sat　down　on　the　berry　bushes　and　started　eating　them　as　fast　as　she　could　pick。　It　was　getting　late　in　the　year；　and　the　berries　were　starting　to　get　dry　and　shriveled；　but　they　were　still　good。　In　fact；　they　tasted　wonderful。　She　started　putting　one　in　her　pocket　for　each　one　she　ate。　She　moved　on　her　hands　and　knees；　picking　berries；　eating　them；　and　putting　them　in　her　pocket。　It　was　getting　darker。　Once　in　a　while；　she　looked　up　at　the　pretty　clouds。　They　were　getting　a　darker　color。　Purple。
　
　When　her　stomach　felt　better；　and　her　pocket　was　full；　she　picked　the　sticks　up　and　went　back　to　the　wayward　pine。　Once　back　inside；　she　untied　the　cloth　that　was　around　the　bread　and　dumped　the　berries　from　her　pocket　onto　the　cloth。　She　sat　down　and　ate　the　berries　off　the　cloth　as　she　chatted　with　Sara；　offering　to　share　her　berries　as　she　ate。　Sara　didn't　eat　many。　Rachel　wished　she　had　a　mirror。　She　wished　she　could　look　in　a　mirror　at　her　hair。　Earlier　in　the　day；　she　had　seen　herself　in　a　dark　pool。　Her　hair　looked　so　wonderful；　all　even。　Richard　was　such　a　nice　man　to　cut　it　for　her。
　
　She　missed　Richard。　She　wished　he　were　here　now；　to　run　away　with　her；　to　hug　her。　He　gave　the　bestest　hugs　in　the　whole　world。　If　Kahlan　weren't　so　mean；　he　could　give　her　hugs　too。　Kahlan　would　find　out　then　how　wonderful　his　hugs　were。　For　some　reason；　Rachel　missed　her；　too。　Her　stories；　and　her　songs；　and　her　fingers　on　her　forehead。　Why　did　she　have　to　be　so　mean　and　say　she　was　going　to　hurt　Giller？　Giller　was　one　of　the　nicest　men　in　the　world。　Giller　gave　her　Sara
　
　Rachel　broke　the　sticks　as　best　she　could；　so　they　would　fit　in　the　circle　of　stones　she　had　made。　After　stacking　them　carefully；　she　pulled　out　the　fire　stick。
　
　〃Light　for　me。〃
　
　She　set　the　fire　stick　down　on　the　cloth　with　the　berries　and　then　warmed　her　hands　and　ate　a　few　berries　while　she　told　Sara　some　of　her　troubles；　how　she　wished　Richard　were　hugging　her；　how　she　wished　Kahlan　weren't　mean；　how　she　hoped　Kahlan　didn't　hurt　Giller；　how　she　wished　she　had　something　other　than　berries　to　eat。
　
　Some　bug　bit　her　on　the　neck。　She　let　out　a　little　squeal　and　swatted　it。　There　was　a　little　bit　of　blood　on　her　hand　when　she　took　it　away。　And　a　fly。
　
　〃Look；　Sara。　Look　at　how　that　stupid　fly　bit　me。　It　made　blood。〃
　
　Sara　seemed　sorry　for　her　sting。　Rachel　ate　a　few　more　berries。
　
　Another　fly　bit　her　neck。　Rachel　swatted　it；　not　squealing　this　time。　There　was　another　spot　of　blood　on　her　hand。
　
　〃That　hurt！〃　she　told　Sara。　With　a　frown；　she　threw　the　squished　fly　in　the　fire。
　
　The　fly　that　bit　her　on　the　arm　made　her　jump。　She　slapped　it　flat。　Another　bit　her　neck。　Rachel　flailed　at　the　flies　in　the　air　around　her　face。　Two　more　bit　her　neck；　making　blood　before　she　smacked　them。　Tears　welled　up　in　her　eyes　from　the　pain　of　the　stings。
　
　〃Get　away！〃　she　yelled　as　she　waved　her　hands　around。
　
　Some　were　inside　her　dress；　biting　her　chest　and　back。　More　bit　her　neck。
　
　Rachel　started　screaming　as　she　batted　at　the　flies；　trying　to　get　them　off。　Tears　streamed　down　her　cheeks。　A　fly　bit　the　inside　of　her　ear；　making　her　scream　even　louder。　The　sound　of　it　buzzing　in　her　ear　made　her　cry　and　scream　as　she　dug　with　her　finger；　trying　to　get　it　out。　She　thrashed　her　arms　as　she　yelled。
　
　Rachel　screamed　in　a　high　pitch　as　she　stumbled　out　of　the　wayward　pine；　wiping　flies　off　her　eyes。　She　ran；　arms　lashing　out；　trying　to　get　the　flies　away。　The　flies　followed　her　as　she　ran　and　screamed。
　
　Something　in　front　of　her　made　her　stop　dead　in　her　tracks。
　
　Her　wide　eyes　worked　their　way　up　the　giant；　fur…covered　body　of　the　thing。　Its　belly　was　pink；　and　had　flies　on　it。
　
　Against　the　fading　colors　of　the　sky；　it　slowly　unfolded　huge　wings；　spreading　them　wide。　Not　wings　covered　with　feathers；　wings　covered　with　skin。　Rachel　could　see　big　blood　veins　in　them；　throbbing。
　
　With　all　her　courage；　she　put　her　shaking　hand　in　her　pocket。　The　fire　stick　wasn't　there。　Her　legs　wouldn't　move。　She　didn't　even　feel　the　flies　that　were　biting　her。　She　heard　a　sound　like　a　cat　purring；　but　a　lot　louder。　Her　eyes　went　up　further。
　
　Glowing　green　eyes　glared　down　at　her。　The　purring　sound　was　a　low　growl。
　
　The　mouth　opened　with　a　louder　growl；　lips　pulling　back；　showing　its　long；　curved　teeth。
　
　Rachel　couldn't　run。　She　couldn't　move。　She　couldn't　even　scream。　She　shook　as　her　wide　eyes　looked　up　into　those　mean　eyes　that　glowed　green。　She　forgot　how　to　move　her　feet。
　
　A　big　claw　reached　for　her。
　
　She　felt　something　warm　running　down　her　legs
　
　CHAPTER　38
　RICHARD　FOLDED　HIS　ARMS　and　leaned　back　against　the　rock。　〃Enough！〃
　
　Zedd　and　Kahlan　both　turned　their　heads；　seeming　to　have　forgotten　he　was　even　there。　He　had　been　listening　to　the　two　of　them　arguing　for　at　least　the　last　half　hour　as　they　sat　in　front　of　the　fire；　and　was　tired　of　it。　In　fact；　he　was　just　plain　tired。　Dinner　was　long　since　done　。and　they　should　be　getting　some　sleep；　but　instead　they　were　trying　to　decide　what　they　would　do　tomorrow　when　they　reached　Tamarang。　Now；　instead　of　arguing；　they　started　presenting　their　cases　to　him。
　
　〃I　say　we　march　in　there　and　I　deal　with　Giller。　He　is　my　student。　I　will　get　him　to　tell　me　what's　going　on。　I'm　still　Wizard　of　the　First　Order。　He　will　do　as　I　say。　He　will　give　me　the　box。〃
　
　Kahlan　pulled　her　Confessor's　dress　from　her　pack　and　held　it　up　to　Richard。　〃This　is　the　way　we　deal　with　Giller。　He　is　my　wizard　and　he　will　do　as　I　say　because　he　knows　the　consequences。〃
　
　Richard　let　out　a　deep　breath　as　he　rubbed　his　eyes　with　his　fingertips。　〃You　both　want　to　eat　a　chicken。　we　haven't　even　plucked　yet。　We　aren't　even　sure　whose　chicken　it　is。〃
　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　Richard　leaned　forward。　Now　he　had　their　attention；　at　last。　〃At　the　very　least；　Tamarang　is　giving　a　sympathetic　ear　to　D'Hara。　At　the　very　worst；　Darken　Rahl　is　there。　Most　likely；　the　fact　is　somewhere　between　the　two。　If　we　march　in　there　and　tell　them　what　we　want；　they　might　not　like　it。　Tamarang　has　a　whole　standing　army　to　express　to　us　how　much　they　don't　like　it。　Then　what？　Are　the　three　of　us　going　to　fight　a　war　with　their　army？　How　is　this　going　to　get　us　the　box？　How　is　it　going　to　even　get　us　to　Giller？　If　we　have　to　fight；　I'd　rather　it　be　on　the　way　out；　not　on　the　way　in。〃
　
　Richard　expected　one　of　them　to　express　some　sort　of　objection　while　they　sat　as　if　being　scolded；　but　neither　did；　so　he　went　on。
　
　〃Maybe　Giller　is　waiting　and　hoping　someone　will　e；　so　he　can　help　them　get　away　with　the　box。　Then　again；　maybe　he　will　not　be　so　willing　to　part　pany　with　it。　But　we　won't　know　if　we　never　make　it　to　him；　now；　will　we？〃　He　addressed　Zedd。　〃You　told　me　the　box　has　magic；　and　a　wizard；　or　Rahl；　can　feel　that　magic；　but　a　wizard　can　also　cover　the　feeling　of　that　magic　with　a　wizard's　web；　so　the　box　can't　be　detected。　That　could　be　why　Queen　Milena　wanted　a　wizard…to　hide　the　box　from　Rahl；　and　use　it　as　a　bargaining　tool。　If　we　create　a　big　motion；　and　scare　Giller；　no　matter　how　he　feels　about　us；　he　may　be　frightened；　and　use　the　opportunity　to　escape。　It　could　also　be　that　Rahl　is　just　waiting　for　the　quarry　to　be　flushed　from　cover；　and　then　he　will　pounce。〃
　
　Zedd　turned　to　Kahlan。　〃I　think　the　Seeker　has　some　good　points。　Perhaps　we　should　hear　him　out？〃
　
　Kahlan　smiled　a　little。　〃I　believe　you　are　correct；　good　wizard。〃　She　turned　to　Richard。　〃What　is　your　way？〃
　
　〃You've　dealt　with　this　Queen　Milena　before；　right？　What　sort　of　person　is　she？〃
　
　Kahlan　needed　no　time　to　give　it　any　thought。　〃Tamarang　is　a　minor　and　relatively　insignificant　land。　Still；　Queen　Milena　is　as　pompous　and　arrogant　as　any　queen　es。〃　〃A　small　snake；　but　a　snake　that　can　kill　us　nonetheless；〃　Richard　noted。
　
　Kahlan　nodded。。　〃But　a　snake　with　a　big　head。〃
　
　〃Small　snakes　have　to　be　careful；　cautious；　when　they　don't　know　what　they　are　up　against。　The　first　thing　we　have　to　do；　is　to　give　her　a　worry。　Make　her　unsure　enough　not　to　bite　us。〃
　
　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　Kahlan　asked。
　
　〃You　said　you've　dealt　with　her　before。　Confessors　go　to　the　lands　to　take　confessions；　and　to　inspect　the　prisons；　to　find　out　what　they　will。　She　wouldn't　want　to　close　Tamarang　to　a　Confessor；　would　she？〃
　
　〃Not　if　she　has　half　a　brain；〃　Zedd　chuckled。
　
　〃Well；　that's　what　we　do　then。　You　put　your　dress　back　on；　and　do　your　duty。　Simply　a　Confessor　doing　what　Confessors　are　expected　to　do。　She　may　not　like　it；　but　she　will　treat　you　well；　she　will　want　you　to　be　happy。　She　will　want　you　to　see　what　you　will；　and　then　be　on　your　way。　The　last　thing　she　will　want　is　to　raise　a　fuss。　So；　you　inspect　her　dungeon；　smile；　or　frown；　or　whatever　it　is　you　do；　and　then　before　we're　on　our　way；　you　say　you　want　to　speak　to　your　former　wizard。〃
　
　〃You　think　she　should　go　alone？〃　Zedd　protested。
　
　〃No。　Kahlan　doesn't　have　a　wizard　with　her；　the　Queen　would　see　that　as　a　tempting　vulnerability。　We　don't　want　her　mouth　to　water。〃
　
　Zedd　folded　his　arms。　〃I　will　be　her　wizard。〃
　
　〃No；　you　will　not　be　her　wizard！　Darken　Rahl　is　killing　people　as　we　speak；　looking　for　you。　If　you　remove　the　wizard's　web；　let　them　know　who　you　are；　we'll　have　trouble　down　around　our　ears